Where do you find inspiration for home decoration?

[GrouchyKiwi]

We're living in a new house and everything (apart from the flooring) is white. Including the woodwork.

I'm looking for some colour inspiration for all rooms, though I do have some ideas for the bedrooms. I just don't know where to look for ideas. I'd like to see pictures of rooms using colour, instead of just looking at colour palettes on paint websites.

What are the best places to look?

Also, I've been thinking about leaving the upstairs landing white (or using a different white but still keeping it plain) and painting the doors of the bedrooms instead; i.e. using colours on the doors. Is this a crazy idea?

[Leeza2]

I'd be tempted to think about some closed storage , as well an open shelves that can take toys boxes . You need to think about how you can change the room from a child's play room in the day to a space for entertaining in the evening . Just in case you ever have the energy or desire to do this ;-)

What a big picture or mirror for over the table

Talk to me about lighting - is it just the ceiling pendant ?

[GrouchyKiwi]

Thanks for the thoughts, Leeza! I'll try to answer everything.

I want one curtain because the welsh dresser takes up too much space on the left. We could move it forward to allow curtains to go behind it but I think one would be ok. Need the window coverings for night time to a) make it cosy, and b) make me feel safe. I hate the idea of seeing someone's face at the window when it's dark!

Hadn't thought about toddler's hands and the curtain. Hmm.

I think I like simple, classic styles. Nothing too flashy. I don't want everything to be neutrals, though, and had thought that maybe a muted green would be nice. I'll see if I can find a colour palette I liked on Pinterest.

Re storage: the children have a playroom so there's no need to worry about that in the dining room. I just have to get better at tidying at the end of the day. The door at the back of the dining section leads to our utility room. There's a big cupboard in there, plus under sink storage, and I want to get some more shelving put on the walls.

I'd love a big picture or something over the dining table. Currently trying to decide whether a world map I bought will go in there or the playroom. I think playroom is more likely, but it might look good over the table.

Re lighting: there is just the one pendant in each section of the room, which is rubbish. It's a medium-term plan to put more in. I'd like some downlighters or strip lighting under the kitchen cupboards.

[Leeza2]

Good. Lighting makes a huge difference to the feel of a room , so I'd think about that first .

IKEA ( I see you are a fan ) sell LED strip lights that you can just stick under your cupboards with sticky pads. We have them under and on top of ours . They are supposed to be plug in but we have hard wired them .

Defo think about lighting for the dining room - pendants alone are not very atmospheric . I'd search Pinterest for lighting ideas. IME classy lighting can change the whole feel of a room , so I'd spend money there . Whereas you can buy cheap curtains now and replace easily when you have more £££ / your child has left home ( only kidding , I see she's about 1) .

You need to sort out lighting first before decorating , in case you need to raggle the walls.

Windows - I was just checking you don't need anything in the day , like blinds or nets . I agree that dark windows can look spooky.

[Leeza2]

Please go and search Pinterest for kitchen lighting and dining room lighting . Because I've started to do it and there are SO MANY lovely ideas there , I will spend all night

But sadly I have to go and do some tedious housework :-(

[GrouchyKiwi]

I am. My computer's on a go slow.

Enjoy your housework.